Failure to Maintain Safe and Functional Environment Due to Leaking Kitchen Sink and Damaged Handrails
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, sanitary, functional, and comfortable environment for residents, staff, and the public. During an initial walk-through of the kitchen, a leaking P-trap pipe was observed under the handwashing sink, with water collecting in a nearly full three-gallon bucket. Staff interviews revealed conflicting accounts regarding the duration of the leak, with a dietary aide stating it began that week, while the maintenance director indicated the issue had persisted for several months, including leakage into the subfloor. The maintenance director also reported that a replacement P-trap pipe began leaking again about a month prior to the observation. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure that handrails were in safe, operational, and functional condition. Observations showed that several handrails in the facility were covered with gray electrical tape and yellow caution tape, had cracked sections with exposed sharp edges, and in some areas, the curved connecting sections were missing entirely. The maintenance director was unable to specify how long the handrails had been damaged and acknowledged that the damage was an ongoing issue due to residents bumping into the handrails, which created hazards for residents.